7 car gadgets that'll make driving so much easier

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The modern automobile is only getting smarter, but as we wait for our self-driving future, there are a few simple gadgets that can make driving a little more convenient for any car owner today. We’ve rounded some of them up below, highlighting our favorites along the way.

A GPS system

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With the smartphone becoming the hub of everything we do, dedicated GPS systems have understandably dwindled in popularity. And truthfully, if you’re fine with your phone filling that role now, there’s no pressing need to switch. But if you’re worried about saving battery, using the phone separately, or potentially losing service, there’s still value in a device like the Garmin Nuvi 55LM. It’s basic, but affordable and reliable, with a 4.4 Amazon rating after 1,720 user reviews, and recommendations from PCMag and The Wirecutter. The model below will get lifetime map updates from Garmin, while a step-up 55LMT model adds a modicum of traffic information as well.Garmin Nuvi 55LM, $139.88, available at Amazon.

Automatic

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The Automatic car adapterpositions itself as a “Fitbit for cars,” and, for the most part, that’s what it is. It plugs into an OBD-II port — which should be in most cars produced in the past 20 years — and measures your braking, speeding, and fuel conserving habits, eventually giving you a score on how smooth you were on a given week. It can also sense and diagnose any problems that activate your check engine light, presenting them in an app instead of making you head to a mechanic. There’s a question of whether or not all of this is worth $80, but if you’ve ever been paranoid about wasting gas, the added info might be worth it.Automatic: Connected Car Adapter, $99.95, available at Amazon.

Fobo Tire Plus

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Again, does everyone need to pay $230 for a tire pressure monitoring system like the Fobo Tire Plus? Probably not, but if you can afford the premium, it’s a straightforward tool that can help reduce a common headache for car owners. It’s a set of Bluetooth-enabled sensors that measure tire pressure and temperature in real time, send that data back to your phone, and warn you of any forthcoming issues.Fobo Tire Plus, $194.53, available at Amazon.

A dash cam

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Public privacy concerns aside, a dash cam is good to have on hand if you’re worried about having footage to present for any future accidents. Something like the Rexing V1 should help you take protective measures here — it’s relatively compact, captures 1080p video, and has received positive feedback on Amazon. Rexing V1, $99.99, available at Amazon.

This article was originally published on 4/5/2016.

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